While many praised McIlroy’s performance, one reaction stood out. PGA Tour pro Michael Kim, a one-time tournament winner, shared his thoughts on social media, expressing amazement at the highs and lows of McIlroy’s play throughout the tournament. In his post, Kim remarked:
“What a freaking tournament. I still can’t believe some of the shots that Rory hit—good and bad. The brain is a crazy thing and can make you do crazy things. Super stoked for him as he genuinely is a good guy. It’s great that he finally got this King Kong off his back.”
Augusta Diaries (Sun)
-What a freaking tournament. I still can’t believe some of the shots that Rory hit good and bad. The brain is a crazy thing and can make you do crazy things. Super stoked for him as he genuinely is a good guy. It’s great that he finally got this King Kong…— Michael S. Kim (@Mike_kim714) April 14, 2025
Kim also reflected on his own experience at Augusta, where he finished tied for 27th at 1-under par after four competitive rounds.
The 2025 Masters featured a total prize pool of $21 million. As champion, Rory McIlroy earned $4.2 million. Michael Kim, for his T27 finish, took home $158,500. Here’s a snapshot of the tournament’s top earners:
1. Rory McIlroy (-11) – $4,200,000
2. Justin Rose (-11) – $2,268,000
3. Patrick Reed (-9) – $1,428,000
4. Scottie Scheffler (-8) – $1,008,000
T5. Sungjae Im, Bryson DeChambeau (-7) – $798,000 each
…
T27. Michael Kim, Aaron Rai (-1) – $158,500 each
McIlroy’s long-awaited Masters win was not only a historic milestone in his career but also a memorable moment in the sport’s history.